Mobile robot and control method thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a moving robot and a control method thereof, and includes a sensor unit configured to detect an obstacle located in a traveling direction; a camera configured to photograph the obstacle, when the obstacle is detected by the sensor unit; a controller configured to control a certain operation to be performed in accordance with the obstacle. The controller analyzes a plurality of image data of the obstacle inputted from the camera to determine whether the obstacle can be identified and filters the image data, transmits the filtered image data among the plurality of image data to the server through the communication unit, and controls the traveling unit in accordance with obstacle information received from the server. Hence, by transmitting only recognizable image, unnecessary data transmission is reduced, and accordingly, transmission traffic is reduced and the load of image processing of the server is reduced. As the load of the server decreases, the obstacle can be quickly determined, and accordingly, the moving robot can recognize the obstacle in a short time and determine the type of the obstacle to cope with, thereby performing the operation suitable for the feature of the obstacle, the cleaning area, or the surrounding environment.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a moving robot and a control methodthereof, and more particularly, to a moving robot that travels bydetecting an obstacle, and a control method thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

A moving robot is an apparatus that automatically cleans by suckingforeign matter such as dust from the floor while traveling by itself anarea to be cleaned.

The moving robot is equipped with a rechargeable battery. Thus, themoving robot can freely move and can move by itself by using anoperation power of the battery, and perform cleaning by sucking foreignmatter on the floor during movement.

The moving robot detects the distance to obstacle such as furniture,office supplies, and wall placed in a traveling zone, and controls thedrive of the left and right wheels to perform obstacle avoidanceoperation. The moving robot is configured to return to a charging standif necessary and charge the battery.

When the conventional moving robot detects an obstacle on a travelingpath, the moving robot changes the traveling path to avoid the obstacle.

In addition, when the moving robot is performing cleaning, the movingrobot may change the path after approaching the obstacle within acertain distance, or change the path after colliding with the obstacle.If the path is changed immediately when an obstacle is detected, acorresponding area cannot be cleaned. Thus, the path is changed, afterapproaching the obstacle as much as possible or colliding with theobstacle.

When colliding with the obstacle, the obstacle may be broken accordingto the type of obstacle. In addition, an obstacle to be avoided exitsbefore approaching, but it is difficult for the moving robot to quicklydetermine the obstacle because it takes time to calculate an image data.In addition, there is a case in which the photographed image is darkaccording to the lighting condition so that the obstacle cannot beaccurately determined.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, andprovides a moving robot which operates according to a type of a detectedobstacle while performing cleaning, and a control method thereof.

Technical Solution

In an aspect, there is provided a moving robot, including: a sensor unitconfigured to be provided at a front side of a main body, and to detectan obstacle located in a traveling direction; a camera configured tophotograph the obstacle, when the obstacle is detected by the sensorunit; a controller configured to control a certain operation to beperformed in accordance with the obstacle; a traveling unit configuredto perform a designated operation according to a control command of thecontroller; and a communication unit configured to communicate with aserver, wherein the controller analyzes a plurality of image data of theobstacle inputted from the camera to determine whether the obstacle canbe identified and filters the image data, transmits the filtered imagedata among the plurality of image data to the server through thecommunication unit, and controls the traveling unit in accordance withobstacle information received from the server.

The controller includes: a traveling control unit configured to controlthe traveling unit in accordance with the obstacle information; and anobstacle recognition unit configured to analyze the image data todetermine whether the obstacle can be identified, and filter the imagedata.

The obstacle recognition unit determines whether the obstacle can beidentified in accordance with a brightness and a sharpness of the imagedata, and filters the image data.

The obstacle recognition unit determines that the image data is normaldata, when the brightness of the image data is greater than a firstreference value and less than a second reference value, determines thatthe image data is unidentifiable data due to underexposure when thebrightness of the image data is less than or equal to the firstreference value, and determines that the image data is unidentifiabledata due to overexposure when the brightness of the image data isgreater than or equal to the second reference value.

The obstacle recognition unit calculates an average of brightness valueof a plurality of pixels included in the image data and compares theaverage with the first reference value and the second reference value.

The obstacle recognition unit determines that the image data is normaldata, when the sharpness of the image data is greater than a thirdreference value and less than a fourth reference value, and determinesthat the image data is unidentifiable data as the image data is anunfocused image or a shaken image, when the sharpness of the image datais less than or equal to the third reference value or more than or equalto the fourth reference value.

The obstacle recognition unit determines whether the obstacle is adangerous obstacle in accordance with the obstacle information, and thetraveling control unit allows the moving robot to avoid the obstacle bysetting a traveling path so as not to approach the obstacle more than acertain distance, when the obstacle is a dangerous obstacle.

When the obstacle is detected by the sensor unit, the traveling controlunit controls the traveling unit to reduce the traveling speed of themain body or to stop for a certain time.

The obstacle recognition unit determines that the image data isunidentifiable data, when the image data is photographed through thecamera in a state where a traveling speed of the main body is equal toor more than a reference speed.

In another aspect, there is provided a method of controlling a movingrobot, including: detecting an obstacle, while the main body travels adesignated traveling zone and performs cleaning; photographing theobstacle through a camera, when the obstacle is detected; analyzingimage data of the obstacle to determine whether the obstacle can beidentified; transmitting the image data to a server, when the image datais normal so that the obstacle can be identified; and performing adesignated operation for the obstacle, in accordance with obstacleinformation, when the obstacle information is received from the server.

Advantageous Effects

The moving robot and the control method thereof according to the presentinvention, when detecting an obstacle, if the obstacle is detected,photographs and transmits the obstacle, analyzes the accumulated imagedata of the obstacle to determine the type of the obstacle, and thusperforms a different operation depending on the type of obstacle,thereby effectively coping with the obstacle, and improving the cleaningefficiency.

The present invention, when photographing an obstacle, photographs aplurality of number of times immediately after an obstacle is detected,filters the photographed image data and transmits to a server, so thatonly recognizable image can be transmitted, thereby reducingtransmission traffic as unnecessary data transmission is reduced andreducing the load due to the image processing of the server.

In addition, the present invention prevents unnecessary datatransmission, and can quickly determine the obstacle as the load of theserver decreases. Accordingly, the moving robot recognizes the obstaclein a short time, determines the type of the obstacle to cope with it,and can perform the operation suitable for the feature of the obstacle,the cleaning area, or the surrounding environment.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a moving robot and a chargingstand for charging the moving robot according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a bottom portion of the moving robot shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view schematically illustrating a moving robot and a systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration ofa moving robot according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a method for detecting an obstacle of amoving robot according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an example of data for the obstacle ofFIG. 5.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views for explaining an image data filtering method ofan obstacle of a moving robot according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating an example of data for obstaclerecognition of a moving robot according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a moving robotaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a data processing method forobstacle determination of a moving robot according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

MODE FOR INVENTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings. In describing thepresent embodiment, the same designations and the same referencenumerals are used for the same components, and further descriptionthereof will be omitted.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a moving robot and a chargingstand for charging the moving robot according to an embodiment of thepresent invention, and FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a bottom portion ofthe moving robot shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a moving robot 100according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body10 that moves along the floor of a cleaning area and sucks foreignmatter such as dust on the floor, and an obstacle detection unit that isdisposed in the front surface of the main body 10 to detect an obstacle.

The main body 10 has a casing 11 that forms an outer shape and forms aspace which accommodates components constituting the main body 10therein, a suction unit 34 which is disposed in the casing 11 and sucksforeign matter such as dust or garbage, and a left wheel 36(L) and aright wheel 36(R) rotatably provided in the casing 11. As the left wheel36(L) and the right wheel 36(R) rotate, the main body 10 moves along thefloor of the cleaning area, and in this process, foreign matter issucked through the suction unit 34.

The suction unit 34 may include a suction fan (not shown) generating asuction force and a suction port 10 h through which airflow generated bythe rotation of the suction fan is sucked. The suction unit 34 mayinclude a filter (not shown) that collects foreign matters from theairflow sucked through the suction port 10 h, and a foreign mattercollecting container (not shown) in which foreign matters collected bythe filter are accumulated.

In addition, the main body 10 may include a traveling unit for drivingthe left wheel 36(L) and the right wheel 36(R). The traveling unit mayinclude at least one driving motor. The at least one driving motor mayinclude a left wheel driving motor for rotating the left wheel 36(L) anda right wheel driving motor for rotating the right wheel 36(R).

The operation of the left wheel driving motor and the right wheeldriving motor may be independently controlled by a traveling controlunit, so that the straight traveling, the backward traveling, or turningof the main body 10 may be achieved. For example, when the main body 10travels straight, the left wheel driving motor and the right wheeldriving motor rotate in the same direction. However, when the left wheeldriving motor and the right wheel driving motor rotate at a differentspeed or rotate in opposite directions, the traveling direction of themain body 10 may be switched. At least one auxiliary wheel 37 may befurther provided to stably support the main body 10.

A plurality of brushes 35, which are located in the front side of thebottom portion of the casing 11 and have plumage formed of a pluralityof radially extending feathers, may be further provided. The dusts maybe removed from the floor of the cleaning area by the rotation of thebrushes 35, so that the dusts separated from the floor may be suckedthrough the suction port 10 h and gathered in a collecting container.

The upper surface of the casing 11 may be provided with a control panelincluding an input unit 16 for receiving various commands for the turnon/off or control of the moving robot 100 from a user. In addition, themoving robot 100 may include an output unit (not shown) to displayreservation information, a battery state, an operation mode, anoperation state, an error state, and the like.

The obstacle detection unit includes a sensor unit 31 for detecting anobstacle by using a plurality of sensors and an image acquisition unit17 for photographing an image. The image acquisition unit photographs atraveling zone, and may include a digital camera.

The image acquisition unit 17 may be disposed in the upper surface ofthe main body to face the ceiling, and may be disposed in the frontsurface of the main body to face the front. The position and thephotographing range of the image acquisition unit 17 is not necessarilylimited thereto. In some cases, any one image acquisition unit may beprovided, or both image acquisition units facing the front and theceiling may be provided.

In addition, the obstacle detection unit may further include an obstacledetection unit (not shown) disposed in the front surface of the mainbody 10 to detect an obstacle through an image photographed byirradiating an optical pattern.

The main body 10 includes a rechargeable battery 38. A charging terminal33 of the battery 38 may be connected to a commercial power source(e.g., a power outlet in a home), or a separate charging stand 60connected to the commercial power source may be docked to the main body10, so that the charging terminal 33 is electrically connected to thecommercial power source through contact with a terminal 61 of thecharging stand, thereby charging the battery 38. The electricalcomponents constituting the moving robot 100 may be supplied with powerfrom the battery 38. Thus, the moving robot 100 is able to autonomouslytravel in a state in which the moving robot 100 is electricallydisconnected from the commercial power source while the battery 38 ischarged.

FIG. 3 is a view schematically illustrating a moving robot and a systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

The moving robot 100 is connected to a server 90 to determine the typeof obstacle. In addition, the moving robot 100 may be connected to aterminal 80 to which a cleaning command is inputted.

The moving robot 100 may detect a plurality of obstacles 11 and 12existing in an indoor area 1 to recognize the obstacle, and perform anyone of approaching, passing, and avoiding according to the type of theobstacle. In this case, the moving robot 100 may avoid the obstaclewithout approaching an obstacle, or may perform a certain operationafter approaching a certain distance and may avoid the obstacle afterapproaching the obstacle, and may pass an obstacle according to theshape of the obstacle.

The moving robot 100 communicates with the terminal 80 to receivesetting data for the indoor area 1, and to receive a cleaning commandfor a certain cleaning area of the indoor area 1 to perform cleaning.

When detecting the obstacle, the moving robot 100 photographs theobstacle and transmits obstacle data to the server 90, determines thetype of the obstacle based on the data received from the server 90, andperforms a certain operation according to the obstacle.

In addition, the moving robot 100 may provide information on thedetected obstacle to the terminal, and set a specific operation to beperformed with respect to the obstacle in accordance with the datareceived from the terminal 80.

The terminal 80 may include an application for controlling the movingrobot 100, display a map of a traveling zone to be cleaned by the movingrobot 100 through execution of the application, and specify an area toclean a specific area on the map. The terminal may be, for example, aremote controller, a PDA, a laptop, a tablet PC, a smart phone, and thelike equipped with an application for setting a map.

The terminal 80 sets information on an obstacle existing in the indoorarea 1 and an operation thereof through execution of application. Inthis case, when the application is executed, the terminal 80 may accessthe server 90 through a network and receive obstacle information andoperation information on the obstacle from the server.

In addition, the terminal 80 may change the operation of the movingrobot 100 based on the obstacle information inputted from the movingrobot 100.

The server 90 accumulates and stores obstacle information, and analyzesthe obstacle information to determine the type of obstacle. In addition,the server 90 classifies the obstacle according to the type and sets theoperation of the moving robot 100 for the obstacle.

The server 90 analyzes new obstacle information and updates pre-storedobstacle information. In addition, the server 90 receives and stores theoperation information of the moving robot for the obstacle set orchanged by the terminal 80, and matches the stored operation informationto the pre-stored obstacle information to update the setting of theoperation of the moving robot on the obstacle.

When the terminal 80 is connected, the server 90 provides the terminal80 with data on the obstacle setting of the indoor area 1 and theoperation of the moving robot 100 based on pre-stored data.

In addition, the server 90 analyzes the obstacle information receivedfrom the moving robot 100 and determines the type of obstacle based onthe pre-stored data to transmit to the moving robot 100.

The moving robot 100 is connected with a communication device 70 tocommunicate with the server 90 via a network N.

In addition, the moving robot 100 may be connected to the terminal 80via Wi-Fi, and may communicate through short-range wirelesscommunication such as Bluetooth.

The communication device 70 is equipped with a protocol for network Nconnection to transmit and receive data of the moving robot through thenetwork. The communication device 70 may be a router or a gateway. Thenetwork N is basically an internet network. In some cases, the network Nmay be a small scale network based on a moving robot or a homeappliance, or may be a local network for a certain region.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration ofa moving robot according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the moving robot 100 includes a communication unit140, an obstacle detection unit 120, a cleaning unit 150, a travelingunit 160, a data unit 130, and a controller 110 for controlling theoverall operation.

In addition, the moving robot 100 may further include an input unit 171,16 for inputting a turn-on/off or various commands, a display unit 172for displaying an operation state or operation mode of the moving robot100, and a speaker 173 for outputting a certain warning sound or aneffect sound.

The input unit 171 includes at least one button, a switch, and a touchinput unit, and receives various control commands necessary for theoverall operation of the moving robot 100 and inputs the controlcommands to the controller 110.

The display unit 172 includes a display such as an LED and an LCD, anddisplays an operation mode, reservation information, a battery state, anoperation state, an error state, and the like of the moving robot 100.

The speaker 173 outputs a certain sound effect, a warning sound, or avoice guidance corresponding to the operation mode, the reservationinformation, the battery state, the operation state, and the errorstate.

The traveling unit 160 includes at least one driving wheel (not shown)for moving the main body of the moving robot, and a driving motor (notshown) connected to the driving wheel to rotate the driving wheel. Thedriving wheel may be provided in the left and right sides of the mainbody respectively, and hereinafter, referred to as left and rightwheels, respectively. The left wheel and the right wheel may be drivenby one driving motor, but a left wheel driving motor for driving theleft wheel and a right wheel driving motor for driving the right wheelmay be provided if necessary. The traveling direction of the main bodymay be switched to the left or right side by making a difference betweenthe rotation speeds of the left and right wheels.

The cleaning unit 150 may include a suction port (not shown) formed inthe bottom portion of the main body of the moving robot to suck air, asuction device (not shown) that provides suction power so that air canbe sucked through the suction port, a brush, and a dust container (notshown) for collecting dust sucked with air through the suction port.

The cleaning unit 150 may include a roll-typed main brush (not shown)having plumages exposed through the suction port, and an auxiliary brush(not shown) that is positioned in the front side of the bottom portionof the main body, and has a plumage formed of a plurality of feathersextending. The dusts are separated from the floor in the traveling zoneby the rotation of the brushes, and the dusts separated from the flooris sucked through the suction port and collected in the dust container.

In addition, the cleaning unit 150 may further include a damp wipingunit (not shown) which is installed at the rear side of the bottomportion of the main body and in contact with the floor surface to wipethe floor surface with a damp cloth, and a water tank (not shown) forsupplying water to the damp wiping unit.

The battery (not shown) supplies power necessary not only for a drivingmotor but also for the overall operation of the moving robot 100. Whenthe battery is discharged, the moving robot 100 may travel to return tothe charging stand for charging, and during such a return traveling, themoving robot 100 may detect the position of the charging stand byitself. The charging stand may include a signal transmitter (not shown)for transmitting a certain return signal. The return signal may be anultrasonic signal or an infrared signal, but is not necessarily limitedthereto.

The obstacle detection unit 120 includes a camera 121 for photographinga traveling zone and a sensor unit 122 for detecting an obstacle.

When detecting an obstacle located in the traveling direction throughthe sensor unit 122, the obstacle detection unit 120 operates the camera121 to photograph the obstacle. The obstacle detection unit 120 inputsimage data on the obstacle to be photographed and information on theposition or movement of the obstacle detected by the sensor unit 122 tothe controller 110.

The camera 121 may include at least one optical lens, an image sensor(e.g., a CMOS image sensor) configured to include a plurality ofphotodiodes (e.g. pixels) formed by light passed through the opticallens, and a digital signal processor (DSP) configured to form an imagebased on a signal outputted from photodiodes. The digital signalprocessor can generate not only a still image but also a moving imagecomposed of frames formed of the still image.

The camera 121 is provided in the upper surface portion or the frontsurface portion of the moving robot 100 to acquire an image of thetraveling direction. The camera 121, preferably, photographs the frontdirection of the moving robot 100, while photographing from the floor toa certain height. The camera 121 may photograph an area including theceiling from the front surface portion according to the angle of view ofthe provided lens. In addition, the obstacle detection unit 120 mayfurther include a lower camera for acquiring an image of the floor.

The type, position, and photographing range of the camera 121 are notnecessarily limited thereto.

The sensor unit 122 is configured of a plurality of sensors fordetecting a forward obstacle. The sensor unit 122 may use at least oneof an infrared sensor, a laser sensor, an ultrasonic sensor that detectthe forward, left, or right obstacle, and a 3D sensor that outputs anoptical pattern. In addition, the sensor unit 122 may further include acliff detection sensor for detecting the existence of a cliff on thefloor in the traveling zone.

The data unit 130 records various types of information necessary for thecontrol of the moving robot 100, and may include a volatile ornonvolatile recording medium. The recording medium stores data that canbe read by a microprocessor, and may include a hard disk travel (HDD), asolid state disk (SSD), a silicon disk travel (SDD), a ROM, a RAM, aCD-ROM, a magnetic Tapes, floppy disks, an optical data storage device,and the like.

The data unit 130 stores obstacle recognition data 131 including featureinformation for obstacle recognition, image data 132 photographedthrough the camera 121 of the obstacle detection unit 120, and controldata 133 for controlling the operation of the moving robot.

In addition, the data unit 130 may store a map of the cleaning area,store information on obstacle received from a server, and store motiondata that allows the main body to perform a certain operation accordingto the type of obstacle.

The image data 132 stores all images photographed through the camera 121as data. The obstacle recognition data 131 includes image data used forobstacle recognition among image data of the obstacle photographed bythe camera 121 and recognition information for obstacle recognitionreceived from the server. The motion data includes motion informationrelated to the operation of the moving robot with respect to therecognized obstacle, e.g., traveling speed, traveling direction,avoiding, stopping, etc., and data related to effect sound, warningsound, and voice guidance outputted through the speaker 173.

The communication unit 140 includes a plurality of communicationmodules, and transmits and receives data to and from the server 90through the communication device 70, and communicates with the terminal80.

The communication unit 140 transmits information on the obstacledetected by the obstacle detection unit 120 to the server 90 through thecommunication unit 140, and receives data on the obstacle from theserver. In addition, the communication unit 140 receives information onthe obstacle existing in the traveling zone and corresponding operationinformation from the terminal 80, and transmits the operation data ofthe moving robot to the terminal 80.

The controller 110 controls the traveling unit 160 to allow the movingrobot to travel in the traveling zone designated to be cleaned in theindoor area 1.

The controller 110 controls the traveling unit 160 and the cleaning unit170 during traveling to absorb dust or foreign matter around the movingrobot, thereby performing cleaning for the traveling zone. Accordingly,the cleaning unit 150 operates the brush to make it easy to suck thedust or foreign matter around the moving robot, and operates the suctiondevice to suck the dust or foreign matter.

The controller 110 checks the charging capacity of the battery todetermine a time to return to the charging stand. When the chargingcapacity reaches a certain value, the controller 110 stops the operationthat is being performed and starts searching the charging stand toreturn to the charging stand. The controller 110 may output anotification about the charging capacity of the battery and anotification about the return to the charging stand.

The controller 110 processes the data inputted by the operation of theinput unit 171 to set the operation mode of the moving robot, outputsthe operation state through the display unit 172, and outputs warningsound, sound effect, and voice guidance according to the operationstate, error state or obstacle detection through the speaker 173.

In addition, the controller 110 recognizes obstacle with respect to theobstacle detected by the obstacle detection unit 120, and performs aspecified operation in correspondence with the obstacle. In this case,when the recognition of the obstacle is impossible, the controller 110transmits the obstacle information to the server 90 through thecommunication unit 140, and when data related to the obstacle isreceived, accordingly performs a certain operation.

The controller 110 may recognize the obstacle based on the setting datafor the traveling zone received from the terminal 80. The controller 110performs a specific operation designated by the terminal with respect tothe recognized obstacle, in accordance with the setting data receivedfrom the terminal 80.

The controller 110 includes an obstacle recognition unit 112 thatrecognizes an obstacle detected by the obstacle detection unit 120, anda traveling control unit 111.

The traveling control unit 111 controls the traveling unit 160 and thecleaning unit 150 according to a cleaning command so that the main body10 sucks foreign matter while traveling the cleaning area and performscleaning.

During traveling, the obstacle detection unit 120 detects an obstaclelocated in front of the main body, and inputs an obstacle detectionsignal. Accordingly, the traveling control unit 111 operates the camera121 by applying a signal to the obstacle detection unit 120.

When the control signal is inputted from the controller 110 in responseto the obstacle detection signal of the sensor unit 122, the camera 121operates accordingly to photograph an obstacle in front of the camera121. In addition, according to the setting, the camera 121 operates inresponse to the obstacle detection signal inputted from the sensor unit122 and photographs the forward obstacle, even when a separate controlsignal is not inputted from the controller. That is, when an obstacle isdetected by the sensor unit, the camera 121 immediately operates tophotograph an obstacle in front of the camera 121.

The camera 121 photographs the front of the main body a set number oftimes, in response to the obstacle detection signal. The number of timesof photographing may be changed according to a setting. In addition, thecamera 121 may photograph a video.

When the obstacle detection signal is inputted, the traveling controlunit 111 controls the traveling unit 160 to reduce the traveling speedof the main body, or to temporarily stop. In addition, the travelingcontrol unit 111 may drive the camera 121 as described above, inresponse to the obstacle detection signal.

When image data photographed the obstacle by the camera 121 is inputted,the obstacle recognition unit 112 stores the image data in the data unit130. Since the camera 121 photographs the forward obstacle a pluralityof times, a plurality of image data are stored.

The obstacle recognition unit 112 analyzes the plurality of image datato determine whether the object to be photographed, i.e., the obstacle,can be recognized. At this time, the obstacle recognition unit 112 doesnot immediately determine the obstacle by analyzing the image data, butdetermines whether the image data is recognizable. The obstaclerecognition unit 112 separates and discards the shaken image, theunfocused image, and the dark image that cannot distinguish theobstacle.

The obstacle recognition unit 112 selects a recognizable image, andtransmits the image to the server 90 through the communication unit 140.The communicator 140 transmits at least one selected image data to theserver 90.

The controller 110 filters the image data to separate the image datathat can identify the obstacle and, among them, filters the data usedfor the obstacle recognition, and stores the image data as the obstaclerecognition data. The controller 110 discards image data that is notused for obstacle recognition.

When the image data is received from the moving robot 100, the server 90analyzes the image data, extracts the outline or shape of thephotographed object, and compares the data with a pre-stored obstacle todetermine the type of the obstacle. The server 90 first searchesobstacle of a similar shape or color, and extracts and compares featuresfrom corresponding image data to determine the type of obstacle.

After determining the type of obstacle, the server 90 transmits data ofthe obstacle to the moving robot 100.

The obstacle recognition unit 112 stores data on the obstacle receivedfrom the server through the communication unit as the obstaclerecognition data in the data unit 130. If the type of obstacle isdetermined by the server, the obstacle recognition unit 112 performs acorresponding operation. The traveling control unit 111 controls thetraveling unit to avoid, approach, or pass the obstacle in accordancewith the type of the obstacle and, in some cases, outputs a certainsound effect, warning sound, and voice guidance through the speaker.

As described above, the obstacle recognition unit classifies the imagedata according to whether the image data is recognizable, and transmitsthe image data to the server, thereby recognizing the type of theobstacle according to a response of the server. In addition, theobstacle recognition unit may store the data for obstacle recognition,with respect to the selected obstacle among a plurality of obstacles,and may recognize the obstacle based on the obstacle recognition dataeven if the image data is not transmitted to the server.

Since the data unit 130 has a limit in storage capacity, the controller110 may store information on some selected obstacles as obstaclerecognition data. For example, the controller 110 may store obstaclerecognition data in the data unit with respect to the obstacle selectedthrough the terminal 80 or an obstacle having a large number ofdetections based on the number of detections.

Accordingly, the obstacle recognition unit 112 may store, in the dataunit, an obstacle existing in the cleaning area or an obstacle that isrepeatedly detected, and thus may immediately perform a correspondingoperation when obstacle is detected.

The obstacle recognition unit 112 analyzes the obstacle informationinputted from the obstacle detection unit 120 to recognize the obstaclebased on the obstacle recognition data of the data unit, and determinesthe type of the obstacle. The obstacle recognition unit 112 determinesthe existence of the obstacle and the position of the obstacle inaccordance with the data inputted from the sensor unit 122, and detectsthe movement of the obstacle.

In addition, the obstacle recognition unit 112 determines the type ofobstacle by analyzing the image data of the obstacle photographed by thecamera 121. The obstacle recognition unit 112 analyzes the image data,extracts the outline of the obstacle, recognizes the obstacle based onthe shape, and determines the type of the obstacle. In addition, theobstacle recognition unit 112 may determine the type of the obstacleaccording to the color and size of the obstacle, based on the shape. Inaddition, the obstacle recognition unit 112 may determine the type ofobstacle based on the shape and movement of the obstacle.

The obstacle recognition unit 112 classifies a person, an animal, and athing, based on the obstacle information. The obstacle recognition unit112 classifies the types of obstacles into a general obstacle, adangerous obstacle, a biological obstacle, and a floor obstacle, anddetermines the type of detailed obstacle for each classification.

When the type of obstacle is recognized, the traveling control unit 111controls the traveling unit 160 in accordance with the type of obstacleso that the main body 10 performs a certain operation.

For example, the traveling control unit 111 allows the main body 10 tostop, decelerate, accelerate, reverse travel, U-turn, and to changetraveling direction, in accordance with the type of obstacle, and not toapproach the obstacle more than a certain distance, and to stand by fora certain time. In addition, the traveling control unit 111 may output aspecified sound through the speaker depending on the obstacle, and mayoutput sound along with a specified operation.

When detecting an obstacle through the obstacle detection unit duringcleaning, the moving robot 100 photographs the obstacle by using acamera and transmits image data of the obstacle to the server.

The moving robot 100 generates a plurality of image data with respect tothe obstacle, and selects image data that can be identified among theplurality of image data and transmits to the server 90. At this time,image data that cannot be identified is discarded.

The moving robot 100 determines whether the image data can be identifiedbased on the focus, the sharpness, and brightness of the photographedimage data. In addition, the moving robot 100 may select image databased on whether an obstacle is photographed. That is, when only thebackground is photographed in the image data, it is determined that theimage data cannot be identified and corresponding image data isdiscarded.

The server 90 analyzes a plurality of image data received from themoving robot to determine the type of obstacle, and generates obstaclerecognition data including feature information for recognizing theobstacle. In addition, the server 90 may generate and store motioninformation for setting an operation corresponding to the obstacle, andtransmit the motion information to the moving robot 100.

The moving robot 100 stores data on the received obstacle as obstaclerecognition data and motion data, and recognizes the obstacle based onthe stored data when detecting the same obstacle again.

The moving robot 100 performs a designated motion based on the motiondata, in accordance with the recognized obstacle. The moving robot 100may perform an operation for traveling depending on an obstacle, and amotion for outputting a certain sound.

The terminal 80 executes an application, receives and stores obstacledata from the server 90, and inputs a command so that the moving robot100 cleans a specific traveling zone of the indoor area based on theobstacle data.

The terminal 80 transmits obstacle setting data to the moving robot 100by designating an obstacle existing in the traveling zone and a motionfor the obstacle (S4).

In this case, the terminal 80 inputs the setting for the traveling zonebased on the obstacle data (S6) related to obstacle and motion that arepreviously stored or received from the server 90. The terminal 80periodically connects to the server 90 (S5), receives data on obstacleand motion (S6), and updates the stored data.

The moving robot 100 performs cleaning for the traveling zone based on acleaning command and obstacle setting data received from the terminal80. The moving robot 100 transmits data on an operation mode, anoperation state, an error state, and the like to the terminal 80 duringcleaning (S3).

When the cleaning is completed, the moving robot 100 stores cleaningrecord, stores information on the obstacle detected during the cleaningand corresponding motion and information changed by the terminal, andtransmits to the server 90.

The server 90 analyzes the changed data, and updates pre-stored data.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a method for detecting an obstacle of amoving robot according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the moving robot 100 detects an obstacle located infront of the main body 10 while traveling.

The moving robot 100 first detects the existence of an obstacle locatedin the traveling direction or in the front through the obstacledetection unit 120. The sensor unit 122 includes a plurality of sensors,and when at least one sensor detects an obstacle, the sensor unit 122inputs an obstacle detection signal to the controller. The controller110 drives the camera 121 in response to the obstacle detection signalinputted from the sensor unit 122 so that the camera photographs animage of the obstacle.

When the obstacle detection signal is inputted, the camera 121 operatesin response to the obstacle detection signal and photographs the front.

The camera 121 photographs the obstacle consecutively in a certainnumber of times, in response to the obstacle detection signal. Thenumber of consecutive photographing and the photographing interval ofthe camera 121 may be changed according to setting.

The image photographed from the camera 121 is stored in the data unit asa plurality of image data through an image processor (not shown).

The obstacle recognition unit 112 analyzes a plurality of image data ofa single obstacle and filters the image data depending on whetherobstacle can be recognized.

If the obstacle is not normally photographed due to the movement of theobstacle or the movement of the main body 10 during photographing, forexample, if the image of the obstacle to be photographed cannot berecognized due to the shaking of the obstacle, the obstacle recognitionunit 112 selects only the image data that is normally photographed,while excluding the image data cannot be recognized due to unfocusedimage.

The obstacle recognition unit 112 may determine whether the image datacan be identified based on the brightness, the sharpness of the imagedata, and the moving speed of the main body 10. The obstacle recognitionunit 112 determines the brightness of the image data based on thebrightness value of the plurality of pixel values of the image data todistinguish between overexposure, underexposure, and normal exposure. Inaddition, when the moving speed of the main body is greater than a setspeed, the obstacle recognition unit 112 may determine that there is ashake in the photographed image, and determine whether the image datacan be identified by determining the sharpness of the image data.

The controller 110 transmits the selected image data to the server 90through the communication unit 140.

The server 90 stores and analyzes the image data received from themoving robot 100, extracts the outline of the photographed object, i.e.,of the obstacle, and searches the similar type of data from the databaseto determine the type of the obstacle.

The server 90 stores a plurality of image data with respect to a singleobstacle, extracts a feature of a specific obstacle, and stores it in adatabase. The server 90 determines the type of obstacle by analyzing theimage data received from the moving robot 100 and comparing it withpre-stored data.

The server 90 transmits the type of obstacle and the obstacle datarelated thereto to the moving robot 100.

When the type of the obstacle and the obstacle data are received fromthe server 90 through the communication unit, the controller 110 storesthe received data in the data unit 130.

The controller 110 determines the type of the obstacle based on thereceived data on the obstacle, and controls the traveling unit 160 inaccordance with the type of the obstacle.

The obstacle recognition unit 112 may determine whether the obstacle isa dangerous obstacle, in accordance with the received type of theobstacle. When the obstacle is a dangerous obstacle, the obstaclerecognition unit 112 applies a signal for the dangerous obstacle to thetraveling control unit.

When the obstacle is a dangerous obstacle, the traveling control unit111 controls the traveling unit 160 to avoid the obstacle withoutapproaching the obstacle.

The traveling control unit 111 sets the traveling operation inaccordance with the type of obstacle, even in the case of a dangerousobstacle. If it is not a dangerous obstacle, the traveling control unit111 controls the traveling unit to avoid after approaching the obstaclein a certain distance.

The traveling control unit 111 changes the traveling direction to avoidthe obstacle without approaching the obstacle. The traveling controlunit 111 may set the approach distance differently according to the typeof obstacle.

When the detected obstacle is not a dangerous obstacle, the travelingcontrol unit 111 sets an operation according to the type of obstacle oran operation mode of the moving robot.

If it is not a dangerous obstacle during cleaning, it may be avoidedafter contacting the obstacle, or avoided after the obstacle approachesin a certain distance.

Even in the case of the same obstacle, the moving robot 100 photographsdifferent image data according to the direction of contact with theobstacle.

With respect to a first obstacle, the image data photographed at a firstpoint P1 and the image data photographed at a second point P2 may have adifferent shape. Accordingly, although they are the same first obstacle,the moving robot may recognize as a different obstacle.

Accordingly, the moving robot 100 transmits a plurality of image data tothe server, and the server determines the type of the obstacle byanalyzing the plurality of image data and extracting the shape andfeature of the obstacle.

In accordance with the data received from the server, the moving robot100 may determine the type of obstacle and recognize that the obstacledetected at the first point and the obstacle detected at the secondpoint are the same first obstacle.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an example of data for the obstacle ofFIG. 5.

As described above, the image data to be photographed is differentdepending on the position and direction of contact with the obstacle.

For example, when an electric fan is located in the traveling directionof the moving robot 100, the moving robot 100 detects the electric fanwhile traveling and photographs image data of the obstacle.

In this case, since the position and direction of contact with theelectric fan are different according to the traveling direction of themoving robot 100, each image data to be photographed has a differentshape.

When the moving robot 100 travels toward the front of the electric fan,and approaches the electric fan within a certain distance, the camera121 photographs the electric fan which is a detected obstacle.Accordingly, the moving robot 100 stores the image data as shown in FIG.6a . Since the moving robot 100 approaches the electric fan, which is anobstacle, within a certain distance, the front of the electric fan isphotographed, but a part of the electric fan is photographed as imagedata from the front.

In addition, when traveling toward the side of the electric fan of themoving robot 100, and approaches within a certain distance, as shown inFIG. 6b , the image data photographed a part of the side of the electricfan is stored.

Meanwhile, when the moving robot 100 travels toward the front of theelectric fan, and detects the electric fan which is an obstacle at aposition separated by a certain distance or more, as shown in FIG. 6c ,image data including the front and the overall shape of the electric fanis stored.

In addition, when the moving robot moves toward the side of the electricfan of 100 and detects the electric fan as an obstacle in a certaindistance away, as shown in FIG. 6d , the image data photographed theside, and the overall shape of the electric fan is stored.

As described above, the moving robot 100 photographs image data having adifferent shape even in the case of the same obstacle which is differentdepending on the positional relationship with the obstacle or thetraveling direction. Accordingly, the moving robots may recognize as adifferent obstacle although they are the same first obstacle.

Accordingly, the moving robot 100 transmits a plurality of image data tothe server, and the server determines the type of the obstacle byanalyzing the plurality of image data and extracting the shape andfeature of the obstacle.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views for explaining an image data filtering method ofan obstacle of a moving robot according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

The moving robot 100 selects identifiable image data from the pluralityof image data that is photographed through the camera 121 to determinethe type of the obstacle and transmits the selected image data to theserver 90.

As shown in FIG. 7a , when the main body is shaken due to the vibrationgenerated while the main body 10 moves or the unevenness of the floor,the camera provided in the main body is also shaken, so that obstaclesis not clearly photographed, and the image data may be photographedbased on shaking phenomenon.

Among the plurality of image data, the obstacle recognition unit 112discards the image data in which the obstacle is not clearlyphotographed in a shaken state.

Since the camera 121 photographs a plurality of images in a short time,the obstacle recognition unit 112 discards some of the plurality ofimage data photographing the same obstacle and selects some of the imagedata.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 7b , the image data having a lowbrightness may be photographed according to the brightness of the areawhere the camera photographs the obstacle by detecting the obstacle andthe position of the main body 10.

The obstacle recognition unit 112 determines that the obstacle isdifficult to identify when the brightness of the image data is dark at acertain value or less and discards corresponding image data.

In order to prepare a case where it is difficult to identify theobstacle due to the brightness, the controller 110 detects thebrightness of the traveling zone and transmits a lighting operationsignal to a lighting device installed in the area through thecommunication unit. In this case, the lighting device is a device havinga communication function, and a device that can turn on/off the lightingaccording to the lighting operation signal and adjust the brightness isused. In some cases, the lighting operation signal may be transmitted tothe terminal to adjust the on/off and the brightness of the lighting.

Even if the lighting is turned on in the area, since it is dark due tothe shadow of a desk under the desk, the photographed image data alsobecomes an underexposed image having brightness equal to or lower than acertain value.

The obstacle recognition unit 112 may determine the brightness of theimage data by calculating an average of brightness value of pixels ofthe image data.

In addition, the obstacle recognition unit 112 determines that the imagedata cannot be identified, if the brightness is greater than or equal toa certain value. The obstacle recognition unit 112 discards the imagedata, because the obstacle is not shown clearly due to the overexposureimage data or the brightness.

The obstacle recognizing unit 112 selects the identifiable image datafrom among the photographed image data and transmits to the server, evenwhen the object to be photographed, i.e., the obstacle, is a movingobstacle, even if the main body 10 is in a stable state and there is noshaking.

When the pet is detected as an obstacle, since the pet is a movingobstacle, as shown in FIG. 8a , in some cases, a clear image cannot bephotographed due to the movement of the pet.

Accordingly, the obstacle recognition unit 112 discards the image datain which afterimage remains among the plurality of image data.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 8b , the obstacle recognition unit 112transmits the identifiable image data to the server, if an identifiableimage data exists among the plurality of image data.

In order to correspond to such a moving obstacle, the controller 110controls the camera to photograph a plurality of image data with respectto a single obstacle.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating an example of data for obstaclerecognition of a moving robot according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

As shown in FIG. 9, the moving robot 100 filters the photographed imagedata and transmits to the server, and recognizes the obstacle based onthe data related to the obstacle received from the server. The movingrobot 100 performs a certain operation according to the obstacle inaccordance with the type of the recognized obstacle.

The obstacle recognition unit 112 determines whether it is a dangerousobstacle depending on the type of obstacle, and the traveling controlunit 111 allows the main body to perform a certain operation inaccordance with the determination result.

As shown in FIG. 9a , when the obstacle is a home appliance based ondata received from a server, the moving robot 100 may not approach thehome appliance within a certain distance. While the cleaning is beingperformed, the traveling control unit 111 approaches the obstacle andperforms cleaning even when an obstacle is detected.

However, in the case of a home appliance, since it may be damaged due toa collision,

Since the home appliance may be damaged due to the collision, it avoidsa collision after approaching a certain distance.

As shown in FIG. 9a , when the obstacle is determined to be a multi-tapor a wire, the moving robot 100 determines that the obstacle is adangerous obstacle and does not approach a certain distance or more andavoids it. When the moving robot 100 approaches and is caught betweenthe wires, a situation in which it cannot escape may occur. In addition,since a plug may be removed due to an escape attempt of the moving robot100, the moving robot 100 does not approach a certain distance or moreand avoids the obstacle.

As shown in FIG. 9c , when a plurality of obstacles are detected, themoving robot 100 avoids based on the nearest obstacle. Since the nearobstacle is the wire, the moving robot 100 searches and avoids the pathwhere the wire is not located. In addition, by recognizing a movingobstacle and a home appliance such as an electric fan, the travelingpath can be set at a long distance to approach or avoid the obstacle.

As shown in FIG. 9d , if the obstacle is a flowerpot, the moving robot100 does not approach a certain distance or more and avoids theflowerpot because the flowerpot may be broken due to a collision.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a moving robotaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 10, when a cleaning command is inputted from theterminal 80 or the input unit 16 (171), the moving robot 100 performscleaning while traveling the designated cleaning area (S310). When acleaning command is inputted through the terminal, information relatedto an obstacle located in the cleaning area may be inputted.

When the obstacle is detected through the sensor unit 122 of theobstacle detection unit 120 (S310), the camera 121 operates tophotograph the obstacle (S330). When the obstacle detection signal isinputted, the traveling control unit 111 reduces the traveling speed ofthe main body or controls the traveling unit 160 to temporarily stop.

The camera 121 photographs the obstacle at least twice. The camera 121may operate by a control signal of the controller 110 and may operate inresponse to an obstacle detection signal of the sensor unit.

The controller 110 receives image data from the camera 121 and storesthe image data in the data unit 130. The obstacle recognition unit 112analyzes the image data inputted from the camera, analyzes the image ofthe image data to distinguish the image data that can be identified fromthe image data that cannot be identified, and filters the image data(S350). For example, the obstacle recognition unit 112 determineswhether the obstacle can be identified based on the brightness,sharpness, and shaking of the image data.

The controller 110 transmits the filtered image data, i.e., the imagedata determined to be identifiable to the server 90 through thecommunication unit 140. The controller 110 discards unidentifiable imagedata.

When the image data is received from the moving robot 100, the server 90analyzes the image data, and extracts the outline of the photographedobject, i.e., the obstacle, analyzes the shape, and compares the imagedata with pre-stored data to determine the type of the obstacle.

The server 90 analyzes the received obstacle information to compare withpre-stored data, searches for a new obstacle to recognize the obstacle,and determines the type of the obstacle. In the case of a new obstacle,the server 90 registers data on the new obstacle. Since the image dataappears differently depending on the photographing angle of the imagedata or the position of the obstacle that is an object, the sameobstacle may be recognized differently or may not be recognized, so thatthe server 90 accumulates and stores a plurality of image data for acorresponding obstacle.

When the type of the obstacle is determined, the server 90 transmitsdata on the type of the obstacle to the moving robot 100 as the obstacleinformation. When it is set to perform a specific operation with respectto the determined obstacle, the server 90 may also transmit informationon the designated operation.

The controller 110 receives the obstacle information transmitted fromthe server (S370). The controller 110 may transmit the receivedinformation on the obstacle to the terminal 80 through the communicationunit 140.

The obstacle recognition unit 112 determines whether the detectedobstacle is a dangerous obstacle depending on the received obstacleinformation (S380).

If it is a dangerous obstacle, the traveling control unit 111 avoids theobstacle depending on the type of the obstacle (S390), and if it is nota dangerous obstacle, the traveling control unit 111 controls thetraveling unit 160 to avoid the obstacle after approaching a certaindistance. (S400).

For example, due to the dangerous obstacle, the traveling control unit111 may avoid it immediately after detecting the dangerous obstacle, ormay avoid it without approaching 30 cm or more from the obstacle. Inaddition, in the case of a general obstacle, the traveling control unit111 may control the traveling unit to perform cleaning after approachingthe obstacle. In addition, the controller 110 may output a certain soundeffect or warning sound through the speaker 173 in accordance with thetype of obstacle.

The traveling unit 160 travels by approaching or avoiding the obstacle(S410). Accordingly, the moving robot 100 performs a certain operationor outputs a certain sound in accordance with the recognized obstacle.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a data processing method forobstacle determination of a moving robot according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

As shown in FIG. 11, the moving robot 100 controls the traveling unit160 to perform a designated cleaning for the cleaning area or to travelto a destination (S410).

When the obstacle is detected through the sensor unit 122 of theobstacle detection unit 120 (S460), the moving robot 100 operates thecamera.

In addition, when the obstacle is detected through the sensor unit, thetraveling control unit 111 determines whether the moving speed of themain body is less than a reference speed (S470). If the moving speed ishigher than or equal to the reference speed, the traveling control unit111 controls the traveling unit 160 to reduce the traveling speed of themain body or to temporarily stop (S480).

When the obstacle is photographed while the main body 10 is traveling ata speed higher than or equal to a set speed, the traveling control unit111 may photograph an unfocused image or shaken image. Therefore, thetraveling control unit 111 may photograph the image data by reducing orstopping the speed.

When the moving speed of the main body is less than the reference speed,the camera 121 photographs the obstacle (S490). The camera 121photographs the obstacle at least twice to generate a plurality of imagedata. The camera 121 may operate by a control signal of the controller110 and may operate in response to an obstacle detection signal of thesensor unit.

The controller 110 filters the photographed image data according towhether an obstacle can be identified. The obstacle recognition unit 112determines the brightness and the sharpness of the image data andfilters the image data.

The obstacle recognition unit 112 determines the brightness of the imagedata and determines as a normal brightness when it is greater than asetting brightness, e.g., a reference value a, and smaller than areference value b, thereby determining that corresponding image data canbe identified with respect to an obstacle (S550).

Meanwhile, when the brightness of the image data is less than or equalto the reference value a, the obstacle recognition unit 112 determinesas an underexposure, and when it is greater than or equal to thereference value b, the obstacle recognition unit 112 determines as anoverexposure and determines that the obstacle cannot be identified.

The obstacle recognition unit 112 may calculate an average of brightnessvalues of each pixel of the image data and compare the brightness withthe reference value.

In addition, the obstacle recognition unit 112 analyzes the image data,compares the sharpness with the reference values c, d, and determines asa normal data when the sharpness is larger than the reference value cand smaller than the reference value d, thereby determining that it isidentifiable image data with respect to the obstacle (S510).

While the camera is photographing an obstacle, even if the speed of themain body is controlled by the traveling control unit, there may beshaking in the image data according to the state of the floor surface,and if the obstacle is a moving obstacle like a pet dog, the shakenimage may be taken. Accordingly, the obstacle recognition unit 112determines the sharpness of the image data and filters the image data.

In addition, when the image data is photographed while the moving speedis higher than or equal to the reference speed, the obstacle recognizingunit determines it as an unidentifiable image data.

The controller 110 transmits the image data determined to beidentifiable to the server 90 through the communication unit 140 (S530).The controller 110 discards unidentifiable image data.

When the obstacle information is received from the server (S540), thecontroller 110 stores the obstacle information in the data, and theobstacle recognition unit 112 determines whether the obstacle is adangerous obstacle.

In accordance with the determination result of the dangerous obstacleand the general obstacle, the traveling control unit 111 controls thetraveling unit 160 to avoid or approach the obstacle according to thetype of obstacle (S560).

Meanwhile, if it is determined, by the obstacle recognition unit 112,that all the image data is unidentifiable, the controller 110 maycontrol the camera 121 to perform additional photographing (S520).

When the camera photographs the obstacle less than a set number of timesn (S520), the controller 110 controls the camera to additionallyphotograph the obstacle (S490).

Meanwhile, if the camera photographs the obstacle the set number oftimes or more, the controller 110 determines that the obstacle isunidentifiable even if additional photographing is performed.Accordingly, the controller 110 sets the detected obstacle as a generalobstacle (S550).

The moving robot determines that the type of obstacle cannot berecognized even when image data is transmitted to the server as theimage data has an exposure problem or is not clear, and set the obstacleto a general obstacle to continue traveling.

As the detected obstacle is set to the general obstacle, the travelingcontrol unit 111 controls the traveling unit 160 to approach theobstacle based on the operation for the general obstacle (S560).

Therefore, the moving robot 100 photographs the detected obstacle,analyzes and filters the photographed image data and transmits to theserver, so that unnecessary data transmission can be prevented and theload of the server can be reduced, thereby enabling quick obstacledetermination through the server. The moving robot can perform adesignated operation according to the type of obstacle determinedthrough the server, and can effectively perform cleaning withoutdamaging the obstacle or the moving robot.

Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have beendisclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art willappreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions arepossible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventionas disclosed in the accompanying claims. Accordingly, the scope of thepresent invention is not construed as being limited to the describedembodiments but is defined by the appended claims as well as equivalentsthereto.

1. A moving robot comprising: a sensor unit configured to be provided ata front side of a main body, and to detect an obstacle located in atraveling direction; a camera configured to photograph the obstacle,when the obstacle is detected by the sensor unit; a controllerconfigured to control a certain operation to be performed in accordancewith the obstacle; a traveling unit configured to perform a designatedoperation according to a control command of the controller; and acommunication unit configured to communicate with a server, wherein thecontroller analyzes a plurality of image data of the obstacle inputtedfrom the camera to determine whether the obstacle can be identified andfilters the image data, transmits the filtered image data among theplurality of image data to the server through the communication unit,and controls the traveling unit in accordance with obstacle informationreceived from the server.
 2. The moving robot of claim 1, wherein thecontroller comprises: a traveling control unit configured to control thetraveling unit in accordance with the obstacle information; and anobstacle recognition unit configured to analyze the image data todetermine whether the obstacle can be identified, and filter the imagedata.
 3. The moving robot of claim 2, wherein the obstacle recognitionunit determines whether the obstacle can be identified in accordancewith a brightness and a sharpness of the image data, and filters theimage data.
 4. The moving robot of claim 3, wherein the obstaclerecognition unit determines that the image data is normal data, when thebrightness of the image data is greater than a first reference value andless than a second reference value, determines that the image data isunidentifiable data due to underexposure when the brightness of theimage data is less than or equal to the first reference value, anddetermines that the image data is unidentifiable data due tooverexposure when the brightness of the image data is greater than orequal to the second reference value.
 5. The moving robot of claim 4,wherein the obstacle recognition unit calculates an average ofbrightness value of a plurality of pixels included in the image data andcompares the average with the first reference value and the secondreference value.
 6. The moving robot of claim 3, wherein the obstaclerecognition unit determines that the image data is normal data, when thesharpness of the image data is greater than a third reference value andless than a fourth reference value, and determines that the image datais unidentifiable data as the image data is an unfocused image or ashaken image, when the sharpness of the image data is less than or equalto the third reference value or more than or equal to the fourthreference value.
 7. The moving robot of claim 2, wherein the obstaclerecognition unit determines whether the obstacle is a dangerous obstaclein accordance with the obstacle information, wherein the travelingcontrol unit allows the moving robot to avoid the obstacle by setting atraveling path so as not to approach the obstacle more than a certaindistance, when the obstacle is a dangerous obstacle.
 8. The moving robotof claim 2, wherein, when the obstacle is detected by the sensor unit,the traveling control unit controls the traveling unit to reduce thetraveling speed of the main body or to stop for a certain time.
 9. Themoving robot of claim 2, wherein the obstacle recognition unitdetermines that the image data is unidentifiable data, when the imagedata is photographed through the camera in a state where a travelingspeed of the main body is equal to or more than a reference speed. 10.The moving robot of claim 2, wherein the obstacle recognition unitclassifies the obstacle into a general obstacle, a dangerous obstacle, abiological obstacle, and a floor obstacle to determine a type theobstacle, in accordance with the obstacle information, and wherein thetraveling control unit controls the traveling unit to perform acombination operation of at least one of stop, deceleration,acceleration, reverse traveling, standby, change of traveling direction,and prohibition of short-range approach, in accordance with the obstacleinformation.
 11. The moving robot of claim 1, wherein, when the obstacleis detected by the sensor unit, the camera photographs the obstacle atleast twice with respect to the obstacle and inputs the image data. 12.The moving robot of claim 1, wherein the controller controls the camerato photograph the obstacle again, when all of the plurality of imagedata of the obstacle cannot be identified, and determines the obstacleas a general obstacle and continues to travel, when the image data ofthe obstacle cannot be identified after the camera photographs theobstacle again a certain number of times or more.
 13. A method ofcontrolling a moving robot, the method comprising: detecting anobstacle, while the main body travels a designated traveling zone andperforms cleaning; photographing the obstacle through a camera, when theobstacle is detected; analyzing image data of the obstacle to determinewhether the obstacle can be identified; transmitting the image data to aserver, when the image data is normal so that the obstacle can beidentified; and performing a designated operation for the obstacle, inaccordance with obstacle information, when the obstacle information isreceived from the server.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprisingreducing a traveling speed of the main body or stopping for a certaintime, when the obstacle is detected.
 15. The method of claim 13, whereinanalyzing image data comprises determining whether the obstacle can beidentified in accordance with a brightness and a sharpness of the imagedata, and filtering the image data.
 16. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising: determining that the image data is normal data, when thebrightness of the image data is greater than a first reference value andless than a second reference value, determining that the image data isunidentifiable data due to underexposure when the brightness of theimage data is less than or equal to the first reference value, anddetermining that the image data is unidentifiable data due tooverexposure when the brightness of the image data is greater than orequal to the second reference value.
 17. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising: determining that the image data is normal data, when thesharpness of the image data is greater than a third reference value andless than a fourth reference value; and determining that the image datais unidentifiable data as the image data is an unfocused image or ashaken image, when the sharpness of the image data is less than or equalto the third reference value or more than or equal to the fourthreference value.
 18. The method of claim 13, further comprisingdetermining that the image data is unidentifiable data, when the imagedata is photographed through the camera in a state where a travelingspeed of the main body is equal to or more than a reference speed. 19.The method of claim 13, further comprising: determining whether theobstacle is a dangerous obstacle in accordance with the obstacleinformation received from the server; and avoiding the obstacle bysetting a traveling path so as not to approach the obstacle more than acertain distance, when the obstacle is a dangerous obstacle.
 20. Themethod of claim 13, further comprising: discarding the image data whenthe image data cannot identify the obstacle, after analyzing the imagedata; photographing the obstacle again; determining the obstacle as ageneral obstacle, when the image data of the obstacle cannot beidentified, after the camera photographs the obstacle again a certainnumber of times or more; and continuing traveling in response to thegeneral obstacle.